April 2016 Volume 7, Issue 4

Dyer United Methodist Church

2016 Church Street Dyer, IN 46311 219.865.8947

engaging the community with unconditional love

“Pass It On” It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can

warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve

experienced it; you spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding; the

birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming. That’s how it is with

God’s love once you’ve experienced it; you want to sing, it’s fresh like

spring, you want to pass it on.

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found; you can depend on Him, it matters not where you’re

bound. I’ll shout it from the mountaintop; I want my world to know; the Lord of love has come to me, I want to

pass it on.

I woke up this morning with this song in my head and on my lips. I love this song because it reminds me of the

beautiful transition from winter into spring; from the coldness and brownness of winter to the warmness and

brightness of spring. It’s such a wonderful transition and one I have loved since I can remember.

I also love this song because it reminds me of the new creation we can see all around us this time of the year.

We see flowers blooming, grass getting greener, trees getting their leaves, and even many

different kinds of animals being born! It is this new life that I think I love the most about spring because it

reminds me of the new life we are offered through Christ! Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “...if anyone is

in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

My prayer for you this spring, is that you will embrace the new life you are offered through our risen Savior,

Jesus. I pray that you will accept His offer of forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life with Him. I also pray

that as you live your life in this world, with its ups and downs, its valleys and mountains, that you will do so al-

ways knowing; always remembering; always praising God, that in Christ, you are a new creation...everything

old has passed away...everything has become new!

Happy Spring!

Pastor Jim

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UPCOMING SERMON SERIES

The Lord’s Prayer

April 10, 2016

Adoration:

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Luke 11:1-4, Psalm 99:1-9

April 17, 2016

Divine Intervention:

Thy Kingdom Come

Luke 11:1-4, Psalm 24:1-10

April 24, 2016

Submission:

Thy Will Be Done

Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 26:36-42

May 1, 2016

Provision:

Give Us This Day

Our Daily Bread

Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:25-34

May 8, 2016

Forgiveness:

Forgive Us Our Debts

Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 18:21-35

May 15, 2016

Guidance & Deliverance:

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Luke 11:1-4, James 1:2-16

discoverdyer is a class designed to help you learn more

about Dyer United Methodist Church: how we live our

faith through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and

witness. We also hope it will help you discover what it

means to be a United Methodist and how God might

be calling you to engage with our church and our com-

munity. Our next class series will be:

Sunday, April 10 & 24 at 10:45AM

in Pastor Jim’s Office

If you would like to join us at these classes or for more

information, please see the insert in the Sunday

bulletin or call the office at 219.865.8947.

We look forward to meeting with you

and helping you discoverdyer.

discoverdyer

“I” WI TNESS NEWSLETTER

Please Keep Them In Your Prayers

Hospitalized/Recovering Carol Beezie (back pain) Doris Campbell Chloe Chapman Lonna Moellering (back pain) Lillian Scott (knee replacement) Gloria Walton (back pain) Lorraine Warmelink Truman Wallis

Sympathy The Family of Kay Trapp

Our Homebound Members

Our Service Members

Prayer Requests

If you have a prayer need, please contact the church office, Pastor Jim, or one of our prayer coordinators and they will be happy to assist you. Call Cathy Millard at 219.365.3954 or email your request to Roseann Piercy at rr_piercy@comcast.net.

Nick Andre Eileen Beil Dorris Campbell Dorothy Faber Melba Fixter

Donna Glittenberg Gloria Johnson Jackie Mauch Elizabeth Misner Shirley Mrzlack Jackie Smith

DUMC Church Historian One of the questions that was asked in the January Trivia contest got me thinking. There are probably many of you that have no idea what the answer would be.

My version of the question is "Where in the current church setting was the original sanctuary?"

The answer is the Conference Room, Nursery and Parlor. But, if you have been here for sometime you will remember this area being used as a chapel (conference room) and a youth center. The youth center was quite large with a shuffleboard area and basketball hoops. Not to mention bars on the windows to avoid a ball mishap! Many a pinewood derby filled the room with parents and excited cub scouts. Volleyball games and acrobatic classes were some of the activities that took place in the youth center. Time marched on and eventually the pastors office claimed a portion of the youth center and the chapel area became the conference room. Today, of course, the nursery occupies the former pastors' office. Currently, the existing rooms have been updated and redecorated.

The following couples were married in the original church, Betty Bowers and Jim Karnafel, Eileen Quinn and James Beil & Jean Perry and Bill Kilander. Jeanne Foltz and Eugene Wease were married on June 14, 1958 by Pastor Allan Byrne in the original sanctuary with a reception in the fellowship hall below. (pictured below)

Elinor Hinton

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Pasta Dinner Update

We wanted to let everyone know that based on an ongoing conversation between

several of our camp parents we have decided to take this year off from offering the

Pasta Dinner. There are two main reasons for this decision:

1. We do not currently have a youth leader to head up this fundraiser. Our hope is to

have a youth leader soon so we will re-visit this decision for next year when that

happens.

2. This reason is a celebration!! We have a significant amount of available Camp

Scholarship money remaining from a very successful Pasta Dinner last year. All of

the kids who are going to camp this year will receive a very nice scholarship to help

with the cost.

Please pray for our campers and for the future of our youth ministry. We know that God

is doing something and will lead us in the way He wants us to go because He is always

good! Thank you for your ongoing support of the youth and children of our church.

We would like to extend a “Big Thank You” to Jewel Food Stores in Dyer, Indiana. They are willing to donate every month: Coleslaw and four cases of water to our Hammond Rescue Meal Program!

DUMC Spring Blood Drive Sunday, April 10, 8AM-12:00PM

Look for the Heartland mini-coach in the DUMC parking lot.

Walk-ins are Welcome! Questions???

Call Diane/Brad Schwent at 219.322.4449

I want to thank my church family for the cards, phone calls, food and words of encouragement while I was recovering from my knee surgery. Love you all!

Cathy Millard

“I” WI TNESS NEWSLETTER Page 5

News from the Wellness Ministry

From Johnny and Janice Tazbir

April is organ donation awareness month. Here are some frequently asked

questions that can help you and your family in deciding what is best for

each of you. Please let Johnny or I know if you have any questions.

What organs and tissues can be donated? Major organs that can be donated for transplant are the liver, heart,

lungs, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine. Tissues that can be donated include the corneas, bone, saphenous and

femoral veins, heart valves and skin.

What organs and tissue are most needed? Most people waiting for transplants need corneas or kidneys. Hearts,

lungs and livers offer the greatest potential to save people’s lives.

Who can be a donor? Virtually anyone regardless of age, race or gender can become an organ and tissue

donor. Donors are usually healthy people who have suffered a life-ending trauma and are declared dead.

Medical eligibility depends on many factors and is determined after the donor's death.

Are there costs associated with organ and tissue donation? There is no cost to the donor's family or estate. Gift

of Hope covers all costs associated with the donation. Organ donation is a gift; it is illegal in the United States to

buy or sell organs or tissue.

Does my religion support organ and tissue donation? Most religious groups support donation as the highest

gesture of humanitarianism. Some religions have passed resolutions or adopted positions that encourage people to

seriously consider donation and plan accordingly.

Does donation interfere with funeral arrangements? Donors are treated with great dignity and respect through-

out the donation process. Skilled surgeons and medical professionals recover organs and tissue in a surgical

procedure that does not interfere with customary funeral arrangements. Open-casket visitation, burial and

cremation all can occur.

How long can organs and tissue survive before transplantation? Organs may be transported hundreds or

thousands of miles to reach recipients waiting in transplant centers thanks to advances in medical technology and

improved preservation techniques. Approximate preservation times are:

Heart/lung: 4 to 6 hours, Pancreas: 12 to 24 hours, Liver: Up to 24 hours, Kidneys: 48 to 72 hours

Corneas: Must be transplanted within 5 to 7 days, Heart valves, skin, bone, saphenous veins: 3 to 10 years

How do I register to be an organ and tissue donor? To ensure that your wishes to donate are honored,

register your legal decision in Illinois by clicking the Become a Donor link on this page. If you live in

Indiana, register here. In both states, you must be 18 to register. Be sure to inform family members about your

wishes, so they’re aware of your decision.

Can I change my mind after I sign up in the registry? Yes. Simply contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s

Office or the Indiana Donation Alliance Foundation to ask that your name be removed from the donor registry.

Will medical care ever be compromised if I register as a donor? No. Donation is not considered until all

possible efforts to save your life have failed and death has been declared. The transplant team has no

involvement in patient care before death and is notified only after death has occurred.

Information retrieved from: http://www.giftofhope.org/about_donation/faqs_about_donation.htm

“I” WI TNESS NEWSLETTER Page 6

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” Matt. 25:35

We have 6 opportunities every month to fulfill these words of Jesus!

First Monday

Food Pantry (Dyer UMC) 9-10:30a Contact: Dave Koester (219)865-1801

First Wednesday

The Night Ministry (Chicago) 5:30-9:30p Contact: Diane Meyer (219)840-0335

Second Saturday

The Crib (Chicago) 6:30-9a Contact: Charlotte Lane (219)381-0682

Third Monday

Community Breakfast (Dyer UMC) 8:30-10:30a Contact: Jackie McBee (219)865-9599

Third Monday

Food Pantry (Dyer UMC) 9-10:30a Contact: Dave Koester (219)865-1801

Fourth Thursday

Rescue Mission Meal (Hammond) 5-8p Contact: Melissa Cornett (219)682-4543

Servants are needed for all six opportunities. If you are passionate

about feeding the hungry, please contact the person listed.

Mission Opportunities

Change Their Water,

Change Their World

Thank you to those who have filled

their water bottles with dimes!

*Each water bottle holds

approximately $40 worth of

dimes.

*Last trip we collected over

$1000 in dimes!

*We will be collecting the

dimes until June 1, 2016.

The money raised will help support the clean

water programs as well as support the 2016

Mission Guatemala Team’s project fees.

Food Pantry Needs:

□ Large Cans of Soup or Chili □ Ravioli or Sloppy Joe □ Hamburger Helper □ Spaghetti Sauce □ Pasta or Rice □ Breakfast Items

Thank you for your continued support!

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During lent we are offering an alternative worship service on Wednesday nights.

It is an opportunity to reflect on Sunday’s sermon, be in communion with each

other, share a meal, and pray for each other.

When the early church met, it wasn’t in beautiful sanctuaries. It was in common

rooms around a table. In Acts 2:42 scripture tells us that they “devoted

themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and to prayer.” That’s dinner church!

This service is for you to invite new friends, to come to if you can’t make it to

Sunday Worship, or if you went to Sunday’s worship and you just want to reflect

more on the topic through the communion and conversation with your

neighbors around the table.

Join us every Wednesday.

Arrive anytime between 5:15—6:00pm to help prepare.

Dinner church begins at 6:00pm.

Saturday, March 12: Baking 101 We learned how to make Gourmet Muffins and shared them with our postal workers as a way to thank them for all they do while engaging them with unconditional love!

Look What Happened Last Month

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Saturday, March 19: A group of youth and adults joined the Dyer Chamber of Commerce and the Dyer Parks Department to help with the 28th Annual Dyer Easter Egg Hunt! Thank you for Engaging the Community with Unconditional Love once again Dyer UMC!